Don’t get burned by your kitchen!

If there is one room in the house that needs to be perfect, it is the kitchen. When you think about it, the kitchen is the place you spend the most time. Apart from cooking, it is also a place to socialise and relax, which makes it a multipurpose area. The sad thing is that most people’s kitchens are the bane of their life for a variety of reasons. If you are one of these people, it is time to crack out the home improvement manual and start the process. But, before you jump the gun, there are a few pitfalls to avoid.

The Triangle

Unlike the Bermuda triangle, you won’t get lost in your kitchen. But, you might find that the room doesn’t have the same functionality without it. Simply put, the triangle refers to the position of the oven, sink and refrigerator. As the names suggest, all three need to be in close quarters so that the room is as functional as it is beautiful. So, if the plans have anything in the way of the three, you might want to reconsider. An island, for instance, is a big obstacle. Always keep the path clear and the three main features in close contact.

Ignoring Practicality

There is no doubt that the kitchen should have a wow factor, and every interior designer would agree. But, it shouldn’t come at the expense of functionality within the room. Otherwise, the kitchen will be all style and no substance, and substance is probably the most important feature of any kitchen. So, the trick is to think before you buy. Will the designer dining table fit all the family? Are the chairs comfy? Is there enough room to cook and walk around? All of these are questions that you need to answer.

Lack Of Storage

It doesn’t matter how big your kitchen is because you will always need storage. Why? It’s because they house lots of different utensils and cutlery, and they are bulky. Even if they are sleek, like knives and forks, they are plentiful. Bearing this in mind, it’s a good time to get creative. The oven, for example, is a perfect place to put a frying pan as it is deep. Of course, the cabinets are always on hand for glasses and pots and pans. Plus, shelves and hooks are low-tech solutions with storage capacity that take up little room.

Designing For Others

Quite possibly the biggest error you can make is designing a kitchen for other people. That can sound stupid, yet it happens all the time as homeowners sacrifice what they want for what they think they should have. At the end of the day, it is your kitchen and you should design it how you please. So, forget about the neighbours and leave them to their own kitchens. Instead, write down what you find appealing and try and implement that throughout the renovation.

There is no point designing a kitchen for other people when they are not going to use it. Anyway, they aren’t paying, so they don’t get a say!

***Collaborative post***

Luxury Kitchen Design

Many people believe that having a luxury kitchen design is out of their budget, but it doesn’t need to be expensive; with the right planning and execution you too can create a luxury space that the whole family can enjoy while adding value to your home in the process.

The kitchen design team at Mayfair Granite have put together their top considerations for planning and designing the perfect kitchen:

Kitchen Layout:

The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house, a place where great food is prepared, a space for entertaining friends and family and somewhere to relax in at the end of a hard day, so creating a space that is both functional and comfortable is key.

The L-shaped kitchen is one of the most popular layouts for kitchens because of its adaptability, and when combined with an island can create a great space for entertaining. An island bench can create a dramatic focal point in the room whilst providing extra storage space and a social hub for the whole family to gather round.

An L-shaped kitchen design is a great option for open plan kitchens where the room opens out into a dining room or living room; it also maximise’s the floor space for families and couples to cook together without getting into each other’s way.

If space is an issue, try opting for a U-shaped kitchen design; this type of design can maximise the cabinet and work top space in the room without compromising on design or style. U-shaped kitchen designs usually feature integrated appliances which are great for keeping a uniform style, but standalone appliances can be used to provide a stand out feature or touch of colour to the design.

Material Choice:

With a vast array of exciting and exotic materials to choose from when designing a kitchen, it can be a bit daunting when planning the perfect space. The classic combination of natural stone and traditional timber cabinetry is still seen as the pinnacle of luxury by many, but with the advances in technology pushing the boundaries of design there is now a range of metallic materials to choose from including brass, copper and zinc to provide that extra wow factor.

For work tops, Mayfair Granite recommends traditional materials such as granite, quartz and marble, which provide a durable and low maintenance option that will last a lifetime. These materials can be cut into an array of shapes and sizes providing a perfect fit in any room.

Cabinetry is the most important investment in any kitchen design, so choosing the right materials is key to creating a kitchen that will stand the test of time. Luxury kitchen cabinets often feature high quality woods such as cherry, mahogany or walnut which are stained with rich, dark colours to bring out the natural beauty of the wood grain. However, specialty painted and glazed finishes can also make for a luxurious kitchen.

Appliances can make or break a kitchen so it is important that these are taken into consideration at the same time as the rest of the design. Choose products that match the style you are going for and always shop around for the best prices.

Lighting:

Lighting is also an important consideration for creating the right balance of ambience and function in the kitchen. Natural light makes the space look bigger and brings the outside in, but having large windows and doors isn’t suitable for every kitchen. However, if the kitchen lacks natural light there are lots of options out there.

Pendant lights can add that wow factor to the kitchen and can create a relaxing ambience, whereas under cabinet lighting is perfect for food preparation in low light situations. For something a bit different, LED light strips are a good choice for creating dynamic lighting effects in the kitchen.

Creating the perfect kitchen is all about planning, putting together a luxury kitchen design will really help, if done right you’ll have a functional and comfortable space that will last for many years and can also add thousands to the value of your home.

***Collaborative post***

About us

Welcome to our family blog. We are Ian & Anita from North London.
We have three teenage sons - Danny, Lee & Bradley.
We are a fun thrill-seeking family who are always planning our next family adventure together.
We all like to write on our family blog - the boy's have their own space on the blog called 'kid's corner' this is where you will find the boy's written posts.
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